Brown Snake

Storeria dekayi

This relatively small snake is found mainly in and northwest of the Twin Cities area. Although it will bite when threatened, it is not venomous.

Identification

General description: True to its name, the brown snake is brown with a lighter-colored stripe down its back and a row of small black spots on each side.

Size: Only about 9 to 13 inches long, the brown snake is smaller than most Minnesota species.

Reproduction

After mating in spring, brown snakes give birth to 3 to 20 babies, each about 4 inches long

Food

Brown snakes eat insects, snails, slugs, earthworms, tadpoles, and small frogs.

Brown Snake

Predators

Larger snakes, crows, hawks, shrews, weasels, cats and dogs.

Brown snakes like to hang out in open areas near water and trees. You can also find them on golf courses and in residential areas often taking cover under a board or rock. They spend their winters hibernating in nooks and crannies in rocks and ant mounds.

Population and management

Brown snakes have no special status in Minnesota.

Fun facts

Brown snakes are mainly active in the daytime, but in hot weather they may be out at night instead.

Brown snake range mapHabitat and range

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